Method and System for Advertising Channel Load

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses a network device and method for advertising channel load. The disclosed network device aggregates a number of clients that are associated with the network device on a specific wireless communication channel, and advertises the aggregated number to a client on the specific wireless communication channel. Further, the network device can receive aggregated load information on the specific wireless communication channel from another management network device, and further aggregates the load information across multiple wireless networks operating on the same wireless communication channel and coupled to different management network devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to channel management in a wirelessdigital network. In particular, the present disclosure relates tochannel load advertisement to network devices in wireless networks.

Wireless networks, such as networks operating under Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, arespreading in their popularity and availability. With such popularity,however, come problems of communication channel management.Specifically, since many clients on the same wireless communicationchannel may share and compete for channel access, network performancetypically depends on the number of clients that share the wirelesscommunication channel within a given radio frequency neighborhood. Thus,it is advantageous to distribute clients to span across differentwireless communication channels in a given radio frequency neighborhood.

IEEE 802.11 standard has established a task group, 802.11e, to cope withthe needs of real time traffic over wireless networks, including Qualityof Service (QoS) demanding services such as Video on demand, Voice overIP (VoIP), gaming, etc. IEEE 802.11e standard extends the existing IEEE802.11 standard by adding new functions targeting both differentiatedand integrated services. The QoS enhanced network devices in compliancewith IEEE 802.11e standard can cope with real-time traffic that isdelay-sensitive, jitter-sensitive, error-prone, etc., such as voice andvideo streams.

IEEE 802.11 e standard includes an element, i.e., QoS enhanced basicservice set (QBSS), which is a part of beacon frames generated by QoSenhanced network devices and contains information on current trafficsituation. Nevertheless, the information on the current trafficsituation in the QBSS element usually cannot accurately reflect the loadof a given wireless communication channel. Therefore, it is advantageousto provide an improved way of calculating channel load in a givenneighborhood and advertising it through, for example, a QBSS elementunder IEEE 802.11 e standard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be best understood by referring to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings that are used toillustrate embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless digital network environment accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary portion of a wireless frame according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows a diagram illustrating network communication exchangesbetween client devices and network devices according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a diagram illustrating network communication exchangesbetween client devices and network devices according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process foradvertising channel load at a network device according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process foradvertising channel load at a network device according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for advertising channelload according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, several specific details are presented toprovide a thorough understanding. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the concepts and techniques disclosed hereincan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or incombination with other components, etc. In other instances, well-knownimplementations or operations are not shown or described in details toavoid obscuring aspects of various examples disclosed herein. It shouldbe understood that this disclosure covers all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

Overview

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to channel management in awireless digital network and, particularly, to the advertisement ofwireless communication channel loads to wireless stations or clients inwireless networks. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide asolution that both complies with requirements by wireless technologystandards and improves accuracy in the network's advertisements ofwireless communication channel loads. With the solution provided herein,a network device, such as an access point, advertises channel loadsperiodically, and optionally receives a request from a client on aspecific wireless communication channel and responds to the request. Thenetwork device can aggregate a number of a plurality of clients on oneor more wireless networks that are associated with the network device onthe specific wireless communication channel, and advertise theaggregated number to a client that is associated with the network deviceor that is capable of associating within the network device on thespecific wireless communication channel.

In some embodiments, the network device transmits or advertises in amessage the aggregated number of clients associated with the networkdevice via one or more wireless networks on the specific wirelesscommunication channel to another network device, and/or receives asecond aggregated number from the other network device. In oneembodiment, the second aggregated number indicates the total number ofclients associated with the other network device via one or morewireless networks on the specific wireless communication channel. Insome embodiments, after the network device receives the secondaggregated number from the other network device, The network deviceaggregates both aggregated numbers to generate a third aggregatednumber, which indicates the total number of clients that are associatedon one or more wireless network with either network device on thespecific wireless communication channel. Moreover, the network devicemay advertise the third aggregated number to the other network device ina different message such that the other network device can advertise thethird aggregated number in place of the second aggregated number to itsclients on the specific wireless communication channel. Note that,because the third aggregated number is advertised in a differentmessage, the other network device will be properly notified that thethird number is the aggregation of the first aggregated number and thesecond aggregated number, and thus will not misinterpret the thirdaggregated number as the first number and will not further aggregate thethird aggregated number with the second aggregated number.

Computing Environment

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless digital network environment accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 includes wireless localarea network (WLAN) 100, and optionally network controller 120, whichare coupled to other network devices, such as access point 140 andaccess point 145 via wired network 130. Also, access point 140 can becoupled to one or more client devices 152 and 154 via wirelesscommunication links 162 and 164 respectively. Likewise, access point 145can be coupled to one or more client devices 156 and 158 via wirelesscommunication links 166 and 168 respectively.

Access points 140 and 145 are hardware units that act as communicationnodes by linking wireless mobile stations, such as personal computers,to a wired backbone network. Access point 140 or 145 may connect clientdevices or users to other client devices or users in the network. Also,access point 140 or 145 may serve as a point of connection between WLAN100 and wired network 130.

Access point 140 or 145 may generally broadcast a service set identifier(SSID). In particular, access point 140 or 145 may be quality of service(QoS) enhanced access points that are capable of broadcasting QoS basicservice set (QBSS). Specifically, additional information, such as QBSSparameters, may be added to the beacon frames or proberequests/responses to advertise channel load information. Suchadditional information allows access points 140 and/or 145 to decidewhether to accept an admission control request. The additionalinformation also allows wireless devices 152-158 to decide which of theavailable access points 140 and 145 they should choose to associatewith.

Access point 140 or 145 may have one or more radios. The radios may beconfigured to communicate with various wireless devices via wirelesslinks 162-168, which support wireless communication standards. Inparticular, the radios may include multiple antennas to supportInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wirelessnetworking standards, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Accessstandards (WiMAX), 4th Generation cellular wireless standards (4G), 3rdGeneration Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), andEvolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+).

In some embodiments, access point 140 or 145 performs media accesscontrol (MAC) processing functions. In some embodiments, controller 120performs some MAC processing functions. In some embodiments, the MACprocessing functions are split between access points 140 and/or 145 andcontroller 120. The MAC processing functions include, for example,terminating the wireless transmission data and management protocols,translating data between the wired and wireless portions of the network,maintaining statistical information regarding wireless clients and theradio environment, and so on.

Wireless clients 152-158 may be any computing device that includes anetwork communication interface, which is capable of wirelesscommunications. For example, wireless clients 152-158 can be, but arenot limited to, smart mobile phone, laptop or tablet computing device,personal desktop or work station, etc.

Wired network 130 generally include any type of network which involvestransmission of data over a wire-based communication technology, forexample, Ethernet, fiber-optic communication networks, cable networks,telephone networks, electromagnetic networks, etc.

Network controller 120 can be any hardware or software module or anycombination thereof, which provides one or more of such functionalitiesas network configuration, network performance monitoring, networksecurity, network fault management, network accounting management, etc.Note that, although only one controller is depicted in FIG. 1 A, anetwork in accordance with the present disclosure may include multiplecontrollers which collaboratively manage a plurality of network devicessuch as access points. Moreover, when a network includes multiplecontrollers, one controller may be elected or selected as a mastercontroller to manage other controllers. Also, note that controller 120can be a virtual controller, which operates on one or more access pointsin a wireless network. The virtual controller may be elected among theone or more access points or configured by a network administrator.

Channel Load Advertisement

In wireless networks, load distribution usually adopts either anetwork-based approach or a wireless station-based approach. In thenetwork-based approach, an access point can control its channel loadlevel via mechanisms, such as, coverage adjustment, admission control,and/or association management. With coverage adjustment, a crowdedaccess point may reduce its transmission power of the beacon signalssuch that new wireless stations are less likely to discover the crowdedaccess point. With admission control, an overloaded access point mayreject new association requests. With association management, a crowdedaccess point may send an unsolicited disassociation frame to selectedwireless stations that are already associated with the access point, andencourage these wireless stations to re-associate with other accesspoints in the wireless network.

In the wireless station-based approach, a wireless station acquire theload condition of access points in the wireless network, and select anaccess point that improves the wireless station's benefits to associatewith. The load condition of the access points may be acquired by awireless station either through measuring channel utilization or delaybetween the scheduled and actual transmission time of periodic beaconframes, or through receiving current channel load or traffic level inprobe responses and/or beacon frames transmitted by the access points.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned channel load or traffic levelcan be transmitted in QBSS parameters as specified in the IEEE 802.11estandard. IEEE 802.11e standard is an exemplary wireless standard thatdefines MAC procedures to support local area network (LAN) applicationswith quality of service (QoS) requirements, including the transport ofvoice, audio, and video over a wireless LAN (WLAN) that complies withthe IEEE 802.11 standard. In a QoS basic service set (QBSS)architecture, the QoS enhancements are available to QoS stations (QSTAs)associated with a QoS access point (QAP). Moreover, the QSTA mayassociate with a non-QoS access point in a non-QoS basic service set(nQBSS) to provide non-QoS MAC data service when there is no QBSS toassociate with. IEEE 802.11e standard introduces a new element calledthe QoS enhanced basic service set (QBSS) load element.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary portion of a wireless frame according toembodiments of the present disclosure. Portion 200 of the wireless framedepicted in FIG. 2 includes element identifier 210, length 220, stationcount 230, channel utilization 240, and available admission capacity250.

In some embodiments, portion 200 is compatible with the QBSS loadelement specified by the IEEE 802.11e standard. Like the QBSS loadelement, portion 200 contains information on the current wirelessstation population and traffic levels in the QoS network. Specifically,element identifier (element ID) 210 is a one-octet field that identifiesthe QBSS load element. Length 220 is a one-octet field that indicatesthe length of the element.

Station count 230 is a two-octet field that indicates the total numberof wireless stations currently associated with the QBSS.

Channel utilization 240 is a one-octet field that is defined as thepercentage of time (normalized to 255) that a QoS-enhanced access pointsenses that the channel medium is busy using either the physical orvirtual carrier sense mechanism of the QoS-enhanced access point. Thepercentage can be computed using the formula:

Channel_busy_time/(channel_utilization_beacon_intervals*beacon_period*1024)*255

Channel_busy_time is defined to be the number of microseconds duringwhich the carrier sense mechanism has indicated a channel busyindication. The channel_utilization_beacon_intervals represents thenumber of consecutive beacon intervals during which the channel busytime is measured.

Furthermore, available admission capacity 250 is a two-octet field thatindicates the amount of time that can be used by explicit admissioncontrol. This field is helpful for roaming non-access point QSTAs toselect a QAP that is likely to accept future admission control requests,but it does not represent a guarantee that these requests will beadmitted.

Channel Load Aggregation

FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams illustrating network communicationexchanges between client devices and network devices. FIG. 3A includesaccess point 340, wireless stations 310, 312, and 314, and wirelessnetworks 320 and 330, each of which is uniquely identified by a basicservice set identifier. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, wirelessstations 310 and 312 communicate with access point 340 through a firstwireless network 320; and wireless station 314 communicates with accesspoint 340 through a second wireless network 330.

Conventionally, in the illustrated example in FIG. 3A, when two wirelessstations, such as stations 310 and 312, are associated with access point340 on wireless network 320, access point 340 typically will include“2,” i.e., the total number of associated wireless stations on wirelessnetwork 320, as the value for the station count field in QBSS element,and advertise the value to wireless stations on wireless network 320.Likewise, when one wireless station, such as station 314, is associatedwith access point 340 on wireless network 330, access point 340typically will include “1,” i.e., the total number of associatedwireless stations on wireless network 330, as the value for the stationcount field in QBSS element, and advertise the value to wirelessstations on wireless network 330. Thus, a wireless station, such aswireless station 314 which is associated with access point 340 onwireless network 330 via the same wireless communication channel aswireless network 320, may receive inaccurate QBSS load information thatdoes not include loads of other wireless networks using the samewireless communication channel.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the number ofwireless stations are aggregated based on the wireless communicationchannel that each wireless station uses. Moreover, the aggregated numberfor each wireless communication channel is advertised to the wirelessstations that are associated with or that are capable of associatingwith the access point on one or more wireless networks which are usingthe same wireless communication channel. Thus, accurate channel loadinformation will be transmitted from access points to wireless stations.

Specifically, the numbers of wireless stations (e.g., wireless stations310 and 312) that are associated with an access point (e.g., accesspoint 340) on different wireless networks 320 and 330 are aggregatedbased on the wireless communication channel being used. Therefore, theaggregated load for both wireless network 320 and wireless network 330will be “3” in the example depicted in FIG. 3A, because wirelessnetworks 320 and 330 are using the same wireless communication channel.Accordingly, beacon frames or probe responses transmitted on bothwireless network 320 and wireless network 330 will include “3” as thevalue for the station count in the QBSS element.

FIG. 3B shows another exemplary diagram illustrating networkcommunication exchanges between wireless client stations and networkdevices, such as, access points, network routers, switches, or networkcontrollers. FIG. 3B includes access points 380 and 390, wirelessstations 350, 352, 354, 356, and 358, as well as wireless networks 360,365, 370, and 375. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3B, wirelessstations 350 and 352 communicate with access point 380 on a firstwireless network 360 via a specific wireless communication channel;wireless station 354 communicates with access point 380 on a secondwireless network 365 via the specific wireless communication channel;wireless station 356 communicates with access point 390 on a thirdwireless network 370 via the specific wireless communication channel;and wireless station 358 communicates with access point 390 on a fourthwireless network 375 via the specific wireless communication channel.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3B, each access point 380 or 390 mayadvertise or transmit an aggregated number of associated wirelessclients, which are coupled to access points 380 or 390 in one or morewireless networks via the specific wireless communication channel.Access point 380 (or access point 390), upon receiving from anotheraccess point, e.g., access point 390 (or access point 380) theaggregated number of associated wireless clients on one or more wirelessnetworks via the specific wireless communication channel, may furtheraggregate the total number of wireless clients associated with multipleaccess points via the specific wireless communication channel on the oneor more wireless networks. Then, access point 380 or 390 can advertisethe aggregated total number of wireless clients associated with multipleaccess points in the one or more wireless networks on the specificwireless communication channel. Each access point 380 or 390 canadvertise the aggregated load information to the wireless stations thatare associated with or attempt to associate with the access point.Accordingly, a wireless station can acquire the load information notonly of the access points it is associated or attempts to associate, butalso of other neighboring access points in the wireless networkoperating on the same wireless communication channel.

Specifically, in FIG. 3B, wireless stations 350 and 352 are associatedwith access point 380 on wireless network 360 through a specificwireless communication channel. Thus, the total number of associatedwireless stations on wireless network 360 is “2.” Also, wireless station354 is associated with access point 380 on wireless network 365 throughthe specific wireless communication channel. Thus, the total number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless network 365 is “1.” Therefore,access point 380 will aggregate the total number of wireless stations onboth wireless network 360 and wireless network 365 to generate theaggregated number of associated wireless stations on multiple wirelessnetworks coupled to access point 380, all of which communicate on thespecific wireless communication channel. In this example, the aggregatednumber would be “3.” Accordingly, access point 380 will first advertisein both wireless network 360 and wireless network 365 “3” as theaggregated number of associated wireless stations on both wirelessnetworks 360 and 365 via the specific wireless communication channel.

Likewise, wireless station 356 is associated with access point 390 onwireless network 370 via the specific wireless communication channel.Thus, the total number of associated wireless stations on wirelessnetwork 370 is “1.” Moreover, wireless station 358 is associated withaccess point 390 through wireless communication channel 375. Thus, thetotal number of associated wireless stations on wireless network 375 is“1.” Therefore, access point 390 will aggregate the total number ofwireless stations on both wireless network 370 and wireless network 375to generate the aggregated number of associated wireless stations onmultiple wireless networks coupled to access point 390, all of whichcommunicate on the specific wireless communication channel. In thisexample, the aggregated number would be “2.” Accordingly, access point390 will first advertise in both wireless network 370 and wirelessnetwork 375 “2” as the aggregated number of associated wireless stationson both wireless networks 370 and 375 via the specific wirelesscommunication channel.

Additionally, in some embodiments, access point 380 or 390 alsoadvertises its aggregated number of wireless stations respectively.Access point 380 or 390 receives channel load information from eachother, and aggregates the received channel load information. Forexample, access point 380 receives “2” from access point 390 as thetotal number of wireless stations associated with access point 390 onwireless networks 370 and 375 via the specific wireless communicationchannel. Also, access point 380 advertises “3” as the total number ofwireless stations associated with access point 380 on wireless networks360 and 365 via the specific wireless communication channel. Because, inthis example, it is assumed that all of wireless networks 360, 365, 370,and 375 communicate on the same specific wireless communication channel,in some embodiments, access point 380 may further aggregate the number“2” received from access point 390 with the number “3” aggregated byaccess point 380 to generate a new aggregated number “5” (2+3=5) as thetotal number of associated wireless stations. Access point 380 can thenadvertise the new aggregated number to wireless stations on wirelessnetworks 360 and 365 respectively.

Moreover, access point 380 can advertise the new aggregated number “5”over the air or transmit the new aggregated number to another networknode. In some embodiments, when another network node such as accesspoint 390 receives the new aggregated number (e.g., “5”) from accesspoint 380, access point 390 will advertise the new aggregated number towireless stations on wireless networks 370 and 375 respectively.

As another example, access point 390 receives “3” from access point 380as the total number of wireless stations associated with access point380 on wireless networks 360 and 365 via the specific wirelesscommunication channel. Also, access point 390 advertises “2” as thetotal number of wireless stations associated with access point 390 onwireless networks 370 and 375 via the specific wireless communicationchannel. Because, in this example, it is assumed that all of wirelessnetworks 360, 365, 370, and 375 communicate on the same specificwireless communication channel, in some embodiments, access point 390may further aggregate the number “3” received from access point 380 withthe number “2” aggregated by access point 390 to generate a newaggregated number “5” (2+3=5) as the total number of associated wirelessstations. Access point 390 can then advertise the new aggregated numberto wireless stations on wireless networks 370 and 375 respectively. Inthis example, access point 380 can further advertise the new aggregatednumber “5” over the air or transmit the new aggregated number to anothernetwork node. In some embodiments, when another network node such asaccess point 380 receives the new aggregated number (e.g., “5”) fromaccess point 390, access point 380 will advertise the new aggregatednumber to wireless stations on wireless networks 360 and 365respectively.

Although only two access points are depicted in FIG. 3B, it shall benoted that any number of access points and any level of aggregation canbe supported without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. However, it shall be noted that only the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless networks using the samewireless communication channel are aggregated, and that the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless networks that use differentwireless communication channels will not be aggregated. In analternative scenario, it is assumed that, in FIG. 3B, wireless network375 communicates on a second and different wireless communicationchannel than wireless networks 360, 365, and 370. Accordingly, accesspoint 390 will not aggregate the number of wireless stations on wirelessnetwork 370 with the number of wireless stations on wireless network375, because wireless networks 370 and 375 communicate on differentwireless communication channels.

Therefore, access point 390 will advertise “1,” which is the totalnumber of associated wireless stations on wireless network 370 on thespecific wireless communication channel, to wireless network 370 or overthe air on the specific wireless communication channel. Likewise, accesspoint 390 will advertise “1,” which is the total number of associatedwireless stations on wireless network 375 on the second and differentwireless communication channel, to wireless network 375 or over the airon the second and different wireless communication channel.

Additionally, in some embodiments, when access point 380 receives thetotal number of associated wireless stations “1” on the specificwireless communication channel from access point 390, because bothwireless networks 360 and 365 are on the same specific wirelesscommunication channel, access point 380 can further aggregate the totalnumber of associated wireless stations from access point 390 (i.e., “1”)with the total number of associated wireless stations on wirelessnetworks 360 and 365 as aggregated by access point 380 (“3”). As aresult, access point 380 will generate a third aggregated number “4”(1+3=4) based on the aforementioned higher level of aggregation.

In yet another alternative scenario, it is assumed that, in FIG. 3B,wireless networks 365 and 375 both communicate on a second and differentwireless communication channel than wireless networks 360 and 370.Accordingly, access point 390 will not aggregate the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless network 370 with the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless network 375, because wirelessnetworks 370 and 375 communicate on different wireless communicationchannels. Likewise, access point 380 will not aggregate the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless network 360 with the number ofassociated wireless stations on wireless network 365, because wirelessnetworks 360 and 365 communicate on different wireless communicationchannels.

Hence, access point 380 will advertise “2” as the total number ofassociated wireless stations (which include wireless stations 350 and352) as the load information to wireless network 360 as well as over theair via the specific wireless communication channel. Further, accesspoint 380 will advertise “1” as the total number of associated wirelessstations (which include wireless station 354) as the load information towireless network 365 as well as over the air via the second anddifferent wireless communication channel. On the other hand, accesspoint 390 will advertise “1” as the total number of associated wirelessstations (which include wireless stations 356) as the load informationto wireless network 370 as well as over the air via the specificwireless communication channel. Also, access point 380 will advertise“1” as the total number of associated wireless stations (which includewireless station 358) as the load information to wireless network 375 aswell as over the air via the second and different wireless communicationchannel.

In some embodiments, because wireless networks 360 and 370 are both onthe specific wireless communication channel, access points 380 and 390may receive each other's advertisement of load information via thespecific wireless communication channel. That is, access point 390 canreceive from access point 380 “2” as the load information on thespecific wireless communication channel; and access point 380 canreceive from access point 390 “1” as the load information on thespecific wireless communication channel. The received load informationmay be further aggregated by either access point 380 or 390 to generateanother aggregated number “3” (2+1=3), and this generated aggregatednumber “3” may be advertised by either or both access points 380 and 390via the specific wireless communication channel.

Similarly, because wireless networks 365 and 375 are both on the secondand different wireless communication channel, access points 380 and 390may receive each other's advertisement of load information via thespecific wireless communication channel. That is, access point 390 canreceive from access point 380 “1” as the load information on the secondand different wireless communication channel; and access point 380 canreceive from access point 390 “1” as the load information on the secondand different wireless communication channel. The received loadinformation may be further aggregated by either access point 380 or 390to generate another aggregated number “2” (1+1=2), and this generatedaggregated number “2” may be advertised by either or both access points380 and 390 via the second and different wireless communication channel.

The following table summarizes the three different scenarios describedabove (note that formula within parenthesis indicate that an aggregationis performed):

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Wireless Communication WirelessWireless Wireless Channel I networks networks networks 360, 365, 370,360, 365 360 and 370 and 375 and 370 Wireless Communication NoneWireless Wireless Channel II network networks 375 365 and 375 Channel ILoad Advertised 3 (2 + 1 = 3) 3 (2 + 1 = 3) 2 by Access Point 380 inFirst Message Channel II Load Advertised 0 0 1 by Access Point 380 inFirst Message Channel I Load Advertised 2 (1 + 1 = 2) 1 1 by AccessPoint 390 in First Message Channel II Load Advertised 0 1 1 by AccessPoint 390 in First Message Channel I Load Advertised 5 (3 + 2 = 5) 4(3 + 1 = 4) 3 (2 + 1 = 3) by Access Point 380 or 390 in Second MessageChannel II Load Advertised 0 1 (0 + 1 = 1) 2 (1 + 1 = 2) by Access Point380 or 390 in Second Message

Note that, in some embodiments, access points 380 advertises a firstmessage with load information that includes the total number of wirelessstations associated with access point 380 on one or more wirelessnetworks on the specific wireless communication channel; and accesspoints 380 advertises a second message with load information thatincludes the total number of wireless stations associated with eitheraccess points 380 or with access point 390 on one or more wirelessnetworks on the specific wireless communication channel. The firstmessage and the second message may use a different format, or similarformat but a different value to mark a field, in order to indicate thatthe second message includes load information associated with both accesspoints 380 and 390 on the specific wireless communication channel. Thus,when either access point 380 or 390 receives the second message, accesspoint 380 or 390 can recognize that the number in the second messageindicates the aggregation of the total number of wireless stationsassociated with access point 380 and with access point 390. Accordingly,neither access point 380 nor 390 will further aggregate the number inthe second message.

Channel Load Advertisement Process

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process foradvertising channel load at a network device. During operation, anetwork device, such as an access point, determines a first numberindicating load information on a first wireless network through a firstwireless communication channel (operation 400). Further, the networkdevice determines a second number indicating load information on asecond wireless network also through the first wireless communicationchannel (operation 410). The network device then aggregates the firstnumber and the second number to generate a third number indicating loadinformation on the first wireless communication channel (operation 420).Subsequently, the network device advertises the third number (operation430). Note that the third number can be advertised either in beaconframes or in response to a received probe request. In some embodiments,the load information corresponds to the number of wireless stationsassociated with the network device (such as an access point) on thecorresponding wireless network.

In some embodiments, the first wireless network and the second wirelessnetwork are coupled to the same network device. In other embodiments,the first wireless network and the second wireless network are coupledto different network devices, and the second number is determined basedon a message received from another network device. In one embodiment,the other network device may advertise the second number in the message,which is received by the network device.

In some embodiments, the network device can optionally receive a fourthnumber indicating aggregated load information on one or more wirelessnetworks coupled to another network device on the first wirelesscommunication channel (operation 440). The network device can thenfurther aggregate the third number and the fourth number to generate afifth number (operation 450), and advertises the fifth number as theload information corresponding to the number of wireless stationsassociated with both network devices on the first wireless communicationchannel (operation 460).

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process foradvertising channel load at a network device. During operation, anetwork device, such as a network controller, determines whether awireless station is associated on a first wireless communication channelor a second wireless communication channel (operation 500). If thewireless station is associated on the first wireless communicationchannel, the network device then determines a first number indicatingload information on a first wireless network through the first wirelesscommunication channel (operation 510), and also determines a secondnumber indicating load information on a second wireless network throughthe first wireless communication channel (operation 520). The networkdevice then aggregates the first number and the second number togenerate third number indicating load information on the first wirelesscommunication channel (operation 530), and advertises the third number,i.e., the aggregated load information of at least the first wirelessnetwork and the second wireless network, on the first wirelesscommunication channel (operation 540).

On the other hand, if the wireless station is associated on the secondwireless communication channel, the network device then determines afourth number indicating load information on a third wireless networkthrough the second wireless communication channel (operation 550), andalso determines a fifth number indicating load information on a fourthwireless network through the second wireless communication channel(operation 560). The network device then aggregates the third number andthe fourth number to generate sixth number indicating load informationon the second wireless communication channel (operation 570), andadvertises the sixth number, i.e., the aggregated load information of atleast the third wireless network and the fourth wireless network, on thesecond wireless communication channel (operation 580).

In some embodiments, the network device may also optionally store theaggregated number of associated wireless clients on each wirelesscommunication channel.

Channel Load Advertisement System

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for advertising channelload according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Operating as a node in a wireless digital network, network device 600includes at least one or more radio antennas 610 capable of eithertransmitting or receiving radio signals or both, a network interface 620capable of communicating to a wired or wireless network, a processor 630capable of processing computing instructions, and a memory 640 capableof storing instructions and data. Moreover, network device 600 furtherincludes a receiving mechanism 650, a transmitting mechanism 660, anaggregating mechanism 670, an advertising mechanism 680, and a storingmechanism 690, all of which are coupled to processor 630 and memory 640in network device 600. Network device 600 may be used as a clientsystem, or a server system, or may serve both as a client and a serverin a distributed or a cloud computing environment.

Radio antenna 610 may be any combination of known or conventionalelectrical components for receipt of signaling, including but notlimited to, transistors, capacitors, resistors, multiplexers, wiring,registers, diodes or any other electrical components known or laterbecome known.

Network interface 620 can be any communication interface, which includesbut is not limited to, a modem, token ring interface, Ethernetinterface, wireless IEEE 802.11 interface, cellular wireless interface,satellite transmission interface, or any other interface for couplingnetwork devices.

Processor 630 can include one or more microprocessors and/or networkprocessors. Memory 640 can include storage components, such as, DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), etc. Insome embodiments, memory 640 stores one or more aggregated numbers ofwireless client stations associated with one or more access pointsand/or controllers on one or more specific wireless communicationchannels.

Receiving mechanism 650 receives one or more network frames via networkinterface 620 or radio antenna 610. The received network frames mayinclude, but are not limited to, requests and/or responses, beaconframes, management frames, control path frames, and so on, as describedin the present disclosure. In some embodiments, receiving mechanism 650can receive a request from managed network device, such as a wirelessstation, on a specific wireless communication channel. In someembodiments, receiving mechanism 650 can receive an aggregated numberfrom another network device, e.g., a management network device. Thereceived number can indicate the number of wireless stations or clientsthat are associated with a plurality of wireless devices (e.g., accesspoints) on the specific wireless communication channel, where thewireless devices (e.g., access points) are coupled to the managementnetwork device. In other embodiments, receiving mechanism 650 canreceive from each of multiple network devices, such as access points, anumber of wireless stations or clients that are associated with thenetwork device on the specific wireless communication channel. In yetanother embodiment, receiving mechanism 650 can receive the numbers ofassociated wireless stations or clients on multiple wirelesscommunication channels respectively.

Determining mechanism 660 determines a first number indicating loadinformation on a first wireless network that communicates through afirst wireless communication channel. Moreover, determining mechanism660 further determines a second number indicating load information on asecond wireless network that communicates through the first wirelesscommunication channel. In some embodiments, both the first wirelessnetwork and the second network are advertised by network device 600. Inother embodiments, the first wireless network is advertised by networkdevice 600, whereas the second wireless network can be advertised byanother management network device, such as an access point. In someembodiments, the load information represents the number of wirelessstations associated on the first wireless communication channel. In someembodiments, determining mechanism 660 further determines a third numberindicating load information on a third wireless network thatcommunicates through a second wireless communication channel, and afourth number indicating load information on a fourth wireless networkthat communicates through the second wireless communication channel.

Aggregating mechanism 670 can aggregate a number of a plurality ofwireless stations or clients that are associated with network device 600on a specific wireless communication channel. In some embodiments,aggregating mechanism 670 can aggregate another number of a plurality ofwireless stations or clients that are associated with network device 600on a different wireless network operating on the same wirelesscommunication channel.

Specifically, aggregating mechanism 670 can aggregate the first numberwith the second number to generate a third number indicating loadinformation on the first wireless communication channel. Also,aggregating mechanism 670 can aggregate the fourth number with the fifthnumber to generate a sixth number indicating load information on thesecond wireless communication channel.

In some embodiments, aggregating mechanism 670 can aggregate the numberof wireless stations or clients received from another management networkdevice to generate an aggregated number indicating aggregated loadinformation of multiple wireless networks coupled to multiple managementnetwork devices, where each of the multiple wireless networks operateson the same wireless communication channel.

Advertising mechanism 680 may advertise one or more aggregated numbersto a wireless station or client that is capable of associating with, oris associated with, or attempts to associate with network device 600 ona specific wireless communication channel. For example, advertisingmechanism 680 may advertise the third number, which is generated byaggregating mechanism 670 and which indicates the aggregated loadinformation on the first wireless communication channel, in a firstmessage over the first wireless communication channel. Furthermore,advertising mechanism 680 may advertise the sixth number, which isgenerated by aggregating mechanism 670 and which indicates theaggregated load information on the second wireless communicationchannel, in a second message over the second wireless communicationchannel. One or more aggregated numbers that indicate load informationas measured by, e.g., the number of associated wireless stations orclients, may be optionally stored in memory 640 at network device 600.Each stored aggregated number indicates a total number of wirelessstations or clients that are associated on a specific wirelesscommunication channel with network device 600 or with multiple wirelessnetworks that are coupled to network device 600.

The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may berealized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems coupled to a network. A typicalcombination of hardware and software may be an access point with acomputer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls thedevice such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present disclosure also may be embedded in non-transitory fashion ina computer-readable storage medium, which comprises all the featuresenabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and whichwhen loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.Computer program in the present context means any expression, in anylanguage, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause asystem having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b)reproduction in a different material form.

As used herein, “access point” (AP) generally refers to receiving pointsfor any known or convenient wireless access technology which may laterbecome known. Specifically, the term AP is not intended to be limited toIEEE 802.11-based APs. APs generally function to allow wireless devicesto connect to a wired network via various communications standards.

As used herein, the term “wireless station,” “client,” “client station,”“wireless client,” “wireless client station,” “STA,” and/or “mobiledevice” may be used interchangeably to refer to any electronic devicehaving the capability of moving location yet still communicating, nomatter whether the movement and the communication occur during the sameor different time periods.

As used herein, the term “mechanism” generally refers to a component ofa system or device to serve one or more functions, including but notlimited to, software components, electronic components, mechanicalcomponents, electro-mechanical components, etc.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” generally refers an embodimentthat serves to illustrate by way of example but not limitation.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the precedingexamples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope ofthe present disclosure. It is intended that all permutations,enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a studyof the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appendedclaims include all such modifications, permutations and equivalents asfall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described in terms of variousembodiments, the present disclosure should not be limited to only thoseembodiments described, but can be practiced with modification andalteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thedescription is this to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining, at a networkdevice, a first number indicating load information on a first wirelessnetwork that communicates through a first wireless communicationchannel; determining, at the network device, a second number indicatingload information on a second wireless network that communicates throughthe first wireless communication channel; aggregating, at the networkdevice, the first number and the second number to generate a thirdnumber indicating load information on the first wireless communicationchannel; and advertising, by the network device, in a first message thethird number.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the load informationcorresponds to a number of clients.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinboth the first wireless network and the second wireless network arecoupled to the network device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst wireless network and the second wireless network are coupled todifferent network devices, and wherein the second number is determinedbased on a message from another network device.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, by the network device, a fourth numberfrom a second network device in a second message, wherein the fourthnumber indicates load information on one or more wireless networkscoupled to the second network device on the first wireless communicationchannel.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: aggregating, bythe network device, the third number with the fourth number to generatea fifth number; and advertising, by the network device, the fifth numberin a second message on the first wireless communication channel.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining, at the networkdevice, a fourth number indicating load information on a third wirelessnetwork that communicates through a second wireless communicationchannel; determining, at the network device, a fifth number indicatingload information on a fourth wireless network that communicates throughthe second wireless communication channel; aggregating, at the networkdevice, the fourth number and the fifth number to generate a sixthnumber indicating load information on the second wireless communicationchannel; and advertising, by the network device, in a second message thesixth number.
 8. A network device comprising: a processor; a memory; adetermining mechanism coupled to the processor, the determiningmechanism to determine a first number indicating load information on afirst wireless network that communicates through a first wirelesscommunication channel, wherein the determining mechanism further todetermine a second number indicating load information on a secondwireless network that communicates through the first wirelesscommunication channel; an aggregating mechanism coupled to theprocessor, the aggregating mechanism to aggregate the first number andthe second number to generate a third number indicating load informationon the first wireless communication channel; and an advertisingmechanism coupled to the processor, the advertising mechanism toadvertise in a first message the third number.
 9. The network device ofclaim 8, wherein the load information corresponds to a number ofclients.
 10. The network device of claim 8, wherein both the firstwireless network and the second wireless network are coupled to thenetwork device.
 11. The network device of claim 8, wherein the firstwireless network and the second wireless network are coupled todifferent network devices, and wherein the second number is determinedbased on a message from another network device.
 12. The network deviceof claim 8, further comprising: a receiving mechanism coupled to theprocessor, the receiving mechanism to receive a fourth number from asecond network device in a second message, wherein the fourth numberindicates load information on one or more wireless networks coupled tothe second network device on the first wireless communication channel.13. The network device of claim 12, wherein the aggregating mechanismfurther to aggregate the third number with the fourth number to generatea fifth number; and wherein the advertising mechanism further toadvertise the fifth number in a second message on the first wirelesscommunication channel.
 14. The network device of claim 8, wherein thedetermining mechanism further to determine a fourth number indicatingload information on a third wireless network that communicates through asecond wireless communication channel, wherein the determining mechanismfurther to determine a fifth number indicating load information on afourth wireless network that communicates through the second wirelesscommunication channel, wherein the aggregating mechanism further toaggregate the fourth number and the fifth number to generate a sixthnumber indicating load information on the second wireless communicationchannel, and wherein the advertising mechanism further to advertise in asecond message the sixth number.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing embedded instructions that are executed by one ormore mechanisms implemented within a network device to perform aplurality of operations comprising: determining a first numberindicating load information on a first wireless network thatcommunicates through a first wireless communication channel; determininga second number indicating load information on a second wireless networkthat communicates through the first wireless communication channel;aggregating the first number and the second number to generate a thirdnumber indicating load information on the first wireless communicationchannel; and advertising in a first message the third number.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein theload information corresponds to a number of clients.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, whereinboth the first wireless network and the second wireless network arecoupled to the network device.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 15, wherein both the first wireless network andthe second wireless network are coupled to different network devices,and wherein the second number is determined based on a message fromanother network device.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of operations furthercomprises: receiving a fourth number from a second network device in asecond message, wherein the fourth number indicates load information onone or more wireless networks coupled to the second network device onthe first wireless communication channel.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality ofoperations further comprises: aggregating the third number with thefourth number to generate a fifth number; and advertising the fifthnumber in a second message on the first wireless communication channel.21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15,wherein the plurality of operations further comprises: determining afourth number indicating load information on a third wireless networkthat communicates through a second wireless communication channel;determining a fifth number indicating load information on a fourthwireless network that communicates through the second wirelesscommunication channel; aggregating the fourth number and the fifthnumber to generate a sixth number indicating load information on thesecond wireless communication channel; and advertising in a secondmessage the sixth number.